Time switches



Sept. 4, 1962 J. J. EVERARD ETAL 3,052,765

TIME SWITCHES Filed May 26, 1960 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fuel. 2

INVENTORS JOSEPH J. Eveaaau Ro =ER D. RuLseH ATTORNEY p 1962 J. J. EVERARD ETAL 3,052,765

TIME SWITCHES Filed May 26, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IINVENTORS JosaP J. EVERARD BY R efla D. RuLseH ATTORNEY P 1962 J. J. EVERARD ETAL 3,052,765

TIME SWITCHES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 26, 1960 INVENTORS JOSEPH J. EVERARD BY Queen. D.RUL.SF H

"7 ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1962 J. J. EVERARD ETAL 3,052,765

- TIME SWITCHES Filed May 26, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 6 PIC-2.4

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JNVENTORS JOSEPH J. EVERARD Roeaa D. RuLseH ATTQRNEX Sept. 4, 1962 Filed y 26, 1960 J. J. EVERARD ETAL TIME SWITCHES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jlllllllllllllllllllllfli INVENTORS JOSEPHJ-EVERARD ROGER R LSEH BY W ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,052,765 Patented Sept. 4, 1962 3,052,765 TIME SWITCHES Joseph J. Everard, Manitowoc, and Roger D. Rulsell, Two Rivers, Wis., assignors to Paragon Electric Company, Two Rivers, Wis.

Filed May 26, 1960, Ser. No. 31,986 6 Claims. (Cl. 200-38) This invention relates to time switches.

In electric time switches, of which this is an example, it has been the usual practice to employ two slide bars which operate alternately and control the action of the switch.

This invention has for one of its objects the provision of an automatic electric switch which has a single slide bar that accomplishes all of the functions necessary for the operation of the switch or for the operation of a plurality of switches depending on the particular design.

Further objects are to provide an automatic electric switch in which there are no stops carried by the base plate but in which the stops are carried by the single slide bar, thus greatly reducing the difiiculty of manufacturing and also the cost thereof.

One of the very important features of the invention relates to the breaking of the weld during the opening of the switch.

Further and very important objects of this invention are to provide a novel form of electric switch in which means are pro-vided which prevent bouncing of the switch contacts during closing and which also provide means for slowing down the closing speed of this switch during closing but nevertheless secures a firm closing contact without an undue rate of speed during closing, and in which means are provided for storing energy during closing so that the maximum amount of energy appears when the switch is in process of closing thereby securing a very firm and high pressure contact without undue speed of the contacts themselves.

A main object of this invention is to provide a novel form of automatic electric switch in which a weighted member is provided for operating the switch, and in which this weighted member is so made that energy is stored in it during opening so that the stored energy will break all welds that may have formed, when the switch is completely opened.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a face view of the device with the timing switch removed from the casing, a fragment of the casing being shown in imaginary lines.

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the device showing the switches in one position.

FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 2 showing the switches in another position.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of FIG- URE 2 showing the slide bar.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the outer end of the movable switch blade, such view being taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower end of the locking lever, such view being taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing the weighted lever and the operating mechanism with the loading or energy storing spring, such view showing the parts in position just before the spring shifts the slide bar, such view being taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 10 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 9 showing the position of the parts just after the parts have been shifted and the weighted lever has been rocked.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view of the locking lever and associated parts showing them in one position before they have rocked or snapped over.

FIGURE 12 is a View corresponding to FIGURE 11 showing the position of the parts after the locking lever has snapped or rocked over.

FIGURES 9 and 11 correspond in position and FIG- URES l0 and 12 correspond in position.

Referring to the drawings it will be seen that the time switch is provided with a face plate or front plate indicated as a whole by the reference character It). In front of the face plate it} is mounted the 24 hour dial 11.

The dial is driven through suitable reduction gearing from a synchronous motor 12. The dial is provided with on and off adjustable cam portions or members 13 and 14 which are respectively, the on and off controlling members for operating the switch. They may be positioned anywhere around the dial and temporarily locked thereon by any suitable means.

These on and off cam members 13 and 14 operate a locking lever or bar 15, see FIGURES l, 11 and 12. This locking bar or locking lever rocks back and forth about the pivot member 15. The cam members 13 and 14 are respectively provided with lugs 16 and 17 which are shown in section in FIGURE 1. These lugs 16 and 17 cooperate with the cams 18 and 19 on the main operating lever 20 to rock the lever back and forth as desired for the on and off positions of the switch.

The main operating lever 20 is provided with a pair of cars 21, see FIGURES 1, 11 and 12.

The ears 21 are adapted to be selectively engaged by the arms 22 which are integral with the locking lever 15 and project from oposite sides thereof. A spring 23 is so arranged that it tends to move or slide the locking lever upwardly as viewed in FIGURES 11 and 12.

When the locking lever or bar 15 is in the up position, a lug 24 formed as a part of the locking lever 15, seats within one or the other of the notches 25 formed in a cutout portion 26 in the main plate or face plate 10 to thus lock the locking lever in position against rocking until it is slid downwardly to the position shown, for instance, in FIGURE 11. It is held locked in one or the other of the notches or cutouts 25. These notches are separated by a lug 27 on the face plate or front plate 10.

In FIGURE 11 the locking lever is locked to the right and is just about to pass the lug 27.

In FIGURE 12 the locking lever 15 has snapped past the lug 27 and is seated within the notch 25 and thus locked in that position.

It is to be noted also that the main operating lever 20 constitutes a hand lever as well, so that it may be manually rocked if so desired.

The time switch is provided with a single slide bar 28. This slide bar 28 is formed of insulating material and operates the switch or switches, indicated generally by the reference character 29. This single slide bar is provided with a lug 30 which is integral therewith, as may be seen from FIGURE 4. The lug 30 is received within a notch or opening 31 in a main operating lover or driving lever 35. The lever 35 is a heavy or weighted lever and may be called the weighted operating lever.

This weighted operating lever 35 is pivoted on the main pivot 15' and slidably receives the lug 30 of the single slide bar 28. This arrangement serves to drive the slide bar 28 back and forth, or in other words to cause reciprocation thereof. The locking lever 15 serves to lock the single slide bar 28 in either extreme position.

The main operating lever 20 is provided with a driving lug 31 which bears against one or the other of the energy storing auxiliary levers 32. These driving or auxiliary levers 32 are arranged to cooperate with a spring 33 whose ends are secured to the levers 32. The levers 32 are pivoted about the main pivot 15, see FIGURES 9 and 10. The lug 31, when it is rocked in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by means of the main operating lever 20, moves one or the other of the levers 32 and this tensions the spring 33 and stores energy therein.

The arms or levers 32 are also positioned on opposite sides of a lug 34 which is integral with the main operating lever 35.

When the main operating or weigh-ted lever 35 is released by the sliding motion of the locking lever 15, as previously described, it will execute a rocking motion either in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction and will thus drive the slide bar 28 through the medium of the lug 36 which fits within the opening or slot 31 in the main operating lever 35.

As stated, this main operating lever 35 is a weighted lever and kinetic energy is stored in this weighted lever. In this way it is possible first to store energy in the spring 33 in the form of potential energy upon operation of the main operating lever 20 which is hand operated or dial operated as previously described. When the locking slide lever 15 releases the mechanism for rocking motion of the main weighted operating lever 35, this weighted lever 35 will store kinetic energy and will rock and will shift the single slide bar 2-8 to operate the switch.

As stated, energy is stored in the form of kinetic energy so that just as soon as contact is made between the movable and stationary contacts or blades of the switch, the pressure will increase steadily due to the kinetic energy stored in the weighted lever 35.

It is to be understood that a separate weighted lever may be provided independently of the working levers.

It is to be noted that the face plate It) may be composed of two portions liil of metal and of insulation. The portion 10 carries the live parts of the switch as is apparent from an examination of the drawings.

Although a pair of switches has been shown, it is to be understood that any number of switches may be employed or a single switch may be used. Since it is easier to describe the device as though there were a single switch such method has been followed, it being distinctly understood that where reference is made to a switch that either a single switch or a plurality of switches may be em ployed.

The switch comprises a relatively or temporarily stationary switch blade 36 and a movable switch blade 37. The switch blades are resilient and are provided with contacts at their outer or free ends and are securely anchored at their inner ends.

The switch blade 36 may be referred to as a temporarily stationary switch blade or as a stationary switch blade. The reason for the double terminology is to simplify the description as is obvious.

A pair of insulating stops 38 are provided and are integral with the face plate portion 10", which is of insulating material. They serve to arrest the closing motion of the switch blade 36.

The movable switch blade 37 is provided with an extension 39 which fits between lugs 40 integral with the slide bar 28.

As previously stated, the main lever 35 is a weighted lever and stores kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is used to increase the pressure of contact after the first contact is made and to thus secure a very firm contact without exteremely rapid motion of the operating member or of the slide bar.

Further, the weighted lever prevents the stationary contact from bouncing. Consequently, the switch is prevented from chattering. The bouncing of either contact or contact arm would cause the switch to chatter and, while the bouncing is almost entirely confined to the 4 stationary contact or contact arm, nevertheless the weighted lever would prevent either contact or contact arm from bouncing. The switch closes in a positive and uniformly secure manner without bouncing.

It is well known that welds are produced whenever switches are operated. These welds require a certain degree of force to open them. This force is supplied by the weighted lever or main operating lever 35 which has energy stored therein in the form of kinetic energy during opening motion as well as during closing motion. During opening motion this kinetic energy builds up and is imparted to the slide bar 28 so as to insure breaking of the welds in the opening operation.

It is to be noted from FIGURE 3 that there is a wiping action between the contacts of the movable and stationary switch blades and this wiping contact, it will be seen, keeps the contacts clean at all times.

Whenever the term switch or switch means is used, it is intended to mean either a single switch or a plurality of switches.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that this description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied, and is to be interpreted as claimed.

We claim:

1. A time switch comprising motor driven timing means including a motor and a timing dial, adjustable cam means carried by said dial and including an on and an off cam, means for locking said cam means to said dial in any desired position on said dial, a switch having at least one movable resilient switch blade having a fixed inner end and a movable outer end provided with a movable contact, a stationary contact cooperating with said movable contact, a single slide bar for moving said movable contact to switch closed and switch open position, and means for selectively biasing said slide bar to switch closed and switch open position respectively.

2. A switch comprising motor driven timing means including a motor and a timing dial, adjustable cam means carried by said dial and including an on and an off cam, means for temporarily locking said cams to said dial in any desired position, a switch including a movable resilient switch blade having a fixed inner end and a movable outer end provided with a movable contact, a stationary resilient switch blade having a stationary contact cooperating with said movable contact, a stop for engaging the outer end of said stationary resilient switch blade, said stationary resilient switch blade being biased towards switch closed position and normally bearing against said stop, a single slide bar for moving said movable contact on said movable resilient switch blade to switch closed position and causing said movable contact to engage said stationary contact and move said stationary resilient switch blade a slight distance away from said stop, and means for selectively biasing said slide bar to switch closed and switch open position respectively.

3. A time switch comprising a dial, motor means for rotating said dial, on and off members adjustably carried by said dial, a switch assembly comprising a stationary contact, a resilient movable switch blade having a fixed end and a movable end, a movable contact carried by the movable end of said resilient switch blade and cooperating with said switch blade, a stationary contact, a single slide bar having spaced switch operating means adapted to receive the movable end of said switch blade, a weighted lever pivoted intermediate its ends and positioned transversely of said single slide bar and having one end operatively connected to said single slide bar, and means operated by said on and ofi members for rocking said weighted lever and reciprocating said single slide bar.

4. An electric switch comprising a stationary contact and a resilient contact blade provided with a movable contact, said resilient contact blade being fixed at one end and having its outer end free and arranged to move toward switch open position or toward switch closed position with the contacts in engagement, motor means for moving the outer end of said resilient switch blade, and a weighted lever having means engaging the outer free end of said resilient switch blade and arranged to store energy to increase the pressure of contact after the initial making of the contact and to reduce the speed of operation and prevent contact bouncing.

5. A time switch comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact adapted to move to switch closed position and into switch open position, a resilient contact blade carrying said movable contact adjacent its outer end and having a fixed inner end, means for moving said outer end to switch closed and switch open position, and a Weighted lever operatively connected to the outer end of said resilient switch blade to prevent bouncing of said stationary contact.

6. An electric switch comprising a stationary contact and a resilient contact blade provided with a movable contact, said resilient contact blade being fixed at one end and having its outer end free and arranged to move towards switch open position or towards switch closed position with the contacts in engagement, motor means for moving the outer end of said resilient switch blade, and a weighted lever operatively connected to the outer free end of said resilient switch blade and arranged to store energy when in motion to increase the contact pressure of the contacts when the switch closes, to assist in breaking any Welds upon opening of the switch, and to reduce the speed of closing to thereby prevent bouncing of the stationary contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,335,110 Dann NOV. 23, 1943 2,816,184 Manning et al Dec. 10, 1957 2,872,535 Dahlgren Feb. 3, 1959 

